Movers and Shakers: May 1985
Boone County Sheriff’s Department
A new sheriff is in town. Ted Boehm took over for Charlie Foster as Boone County sheriff, effective Jan. 1, 1985. With the hire came several replacements and promotions within the department. Robert Benad took over as the new process server and Tom Glisson as Boone County warrant officer. The sheriff’s detective position had not been filled at the time, and at least four new deputies were hired.
Rodney Smith
Third Ward Councilman Smith took over as mayor on April 12, 1985, replacing John Westlund. It was revealed on Jan. 1 that Westlund had overcharged the city, including a side trip to Hong Kong. At first, he refused to resign and reimbursed the city, but the City Council decided in April it was “in the best interest of the city” for him to resign. Westlund resigned on April 12.
Ray Beck
Beck accepted an offer on Aug. 6, 1985, to become Columbia’s new city manager, effective Aug. 19. Beck had been serving as acting manager since May 13. He replaced Dick Gray, who quit in April after four and a half years and went to work for Cloud 9 gift shop. After more than a month of negotiations, Beck agreed to a salary and benefits package of nearly $80,000. Previously, he spent 25 years as Public Works director. The City Council would not allow him to hold both positions. He served as city manager for five years.
C. Peter Magrath
University of Missouri President Magrath completed his first day in office on Jan. 3. On his first day, Magrath held a press conference suggesting that MU should utilize high technology. He was inaugurated in late April. Magrath selected three programs at MU for eminence: molecular biology, journalism and Food for the 21st Century.
Missouri Bookstore
On May 8, 1985, the Columbia Missourian reported that the Missouri Store Co., a family business that was started in 1909 by brothers R.E. and Boyd Lucas, was sold. Investors Bob Pugh, Dan Schuppan and Leonard Riggio acquired the bookstore. Pugh took over as CEO, and Schuppan became the new president and chief operating officer.
John O’Shaughnessy
O’Shaughnessy was named the new president of Boone Hospital Center on Feb. 5, 1985, the Columbia Missourian reported. He assumed his duties March 11. O’Shaughnessy was previously the administrator of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. O’Shaughnessy made $95,000 annually, an $18,000 increase over former President Warren Rutherford, who resigned on Jan. 14.
Columbia Police
Columbia Police Chief Bill Dye won support to hire five patrol officers and one officer to work undercover operations in August of 1985. Council members told him they would support the hires only if the five additional officers were put on street duty. Dye was also directed to seek state grants to help finance the salaries of the new officers.
Billie Tritschler
On April 31, 1985, Tritschler was recommended by a Boone County republican to become the presiding county commissioner of the Boone County Commission in a two-year term. Tritschler was recommended because her broad base would be appealing to both political parties. She replaced Norma Robb, who died on March 30, 1985.
David Horner
Horner received 20 out of 29 votes to win the nomination to become the new Boone County commissioner for the Southern District of the Boone County Republic Central Committee, the Columbia Missourian reported on Jan. 22, 1985. Horner, a retired National Weather Service meteorologist, replaced Kay Roberts, who left to become legislative liaison for Gov. Ashcroft.
Dave Hart
MU Athletic Director Hart left the school to become commissioner of the Southern Conference, the Columbia Missourian reported on Nov. 26, 1985. Hart signed a five-year contract with a series of five one-year options. Effective June 1, 1985, Hart replaced Ken Germann as the conference’s commissioner. Jack Lengyel replaced Hart as MU’s athletic director.
Stephen Cupp
Cupp became the owner of Glenn’s Café in February of 1985. Glenn’s Café has been open since 1943, when Glenn and Tilly Purdy started it as Glenn’s Drive-In. The café had various owners between its opening and 1985. Even with all the ownership changes, the red and white Glenn’s Café sign has remained the same since 1954.
John Ashcroft
Gov. Ashcroft was inaugurated in January of 1985 to serve as the 50th governor of Missouri. His opponent in the 1984 election was democratic Lt. Gov. Ken Rothman. Ashcroft won 57 percent of the vote and 106 counties, which was the largest Republican victory for a governor in Missouri history.